The Rwenzori Mountains, straddling the Uganda-DR Congo border, were named the “Mountains of the Moon” by ancient geographers and remain one of Africa’s least-visited high-altitude trekking destinations. This expedition climbs through genuinely otherworldly Afro-alpine vegetation to Margherita Peak (5,109m), Africa’s third-highest summit and one of its few remaining glaciated peaks.
Detailed Itinerary
DAY 1
A drive to the Rwenzori trailhead at Nyakalengija, then a trek through montane forest to Sine Hut (2,596m).
Kasese to Nyakalengija, Sine Hut
Accommodation
All levelsMountain hut, full crew support
Meals: Lunch, Dinner
DAY 2
A trek through the notoriously boggy “Bigo Bog” to Kiharo Hut (3,460m), a genuinely demanding day underfoot.
Sine Hut to Kiharo Hut
Accommodation
All levelsMountain hut, full crew support
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 3
A trek past Lake Bujuku into increasingly Afro-alpine terrain, with giant lobelias and groundsels, reaching Bujuku Hut (3,962m).
Kiharo Hut to Bujuku Hut
Accommodation
All levelsMountain hut, full crew support
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 4
A steep climb up the Scott Elliot Pass to Elena Hut (4,541m), the final camp before the summit push.
Bujuku Hut to Elena Hut
Accommodation
All levelsMountain hut, full crew support
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 5
A technical pre-dawn summit push involving glacier travel and via ferrata sections to Margherita Peak (5,109m), then a descent to Kitandara Hut.
Summit Day: Margherita Peak, Descend to Kitandara Hut
Accommodation
All levelsMountain hut, full crew support
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 6
A descent via the Freshfield Pass to Guy Yeoman Hut (3,505m).
Kitandara Hut to Guy Yeoman Hut
Accommodation
All levelsMountain hut, full crew support
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 7
A continued descent through forest to Nyabitaba Hut (2,652m).
Guy Yeoman Hut to Nyabitaba Hut
Accommodation
All levelsMountain hut, full crew support
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 8
A final descent to the trailhead, collecting summit certificates, then a transfer back to Kasese.
Nyabitaba Hut to Nyakalengija, Transfer to Kasese
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
DAY 9
Transfer to Entebbe for your onward flight, or connection to further Uganda touring.
Departure
Meals: Breakfast
Permits & Costs
| Rwenzori Mountains National Park fees, hut & rescue fees | Included in package price |
| Technical mountaineering gear for summit day | Included, provided by the mountain crew |
| Full mountain crew: guides, cook, porters | Included |
Who This Itinerary Suits
Experienced, very fit trekkers seeking a genuinely remote and technically demanding high-altitude challenge, well beyond a standard Kilimanjaro trek.Tour Includes
- All park fees, hut fees & rescue fees
- Full mountain crew: guide, technical mountaineering guide, cook, porters
- Technical gear for the summit day (harness, crampons, ice axe)
- All meals on the mountain
- Pre-trek briefing and gear check
Tour Excludes
- International flights
- Personal trekking clothing (available for hire locally)
- Visas
- Tips for the mountain crew
- Travel & high-altitude insurance covering technical mountaineering